TMHU Hosts Tree Planting at Oso Lake Reservoir

IRVINE, Calif.—Toyota Material Handling USA Inc. (TMHU) sponsored a tree-planting event at the Oso Lake Reservoir in Rancho Santa Margarita on Apr. 5.

More than 100 volunteers, including Toyota associates, scouts and unit leaders from the Orange County Council of the Boy Scouts and representatives from the Arbor Day Foundation, planted 100 8-foot-tall trees. Indigenous trees, including coastal redwoods, California sycamores, coastal live oaks and Italian cypress were planted at the 100-acre lake, which is home to the Oso Lake Boy Scout Camp.

The event was made possible by the partnership between TMHU and the Arbor Day Foundation. TMHU first partnered with the Arbor Day Foundation in 2006 with the goal of helping to reforest the country.

Since then, 20,000 trees have been planted in national forests that have been damaged by wildfires, insects and disease. In 2008, the company increased its commitment to the Arbor Day Foundation and will plant a tree for every lift truck sold this year, which is estimated to result in an additional 30,000 trees being planted in early 2009.

“We’re very excited to have sponsored this tree planting and to have such a tremendous response from our associates, the Boy Scouts and the community,” said Shankar Basu, president and CEO of TMHU. “The trees that were planted will benefit the Boy Scouts and O.C. youth organizations for years to come. That’s gratifying for all of us.”